2018 Toyota Tacoma Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2018 Toyota Tacoma has a complaint index of 25, ranking 16th worst out of 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict. It has 206 complaints, 3 recalls, and no fires or deaths reported, with brakes and fuel system as top concerns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 Tacoma years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 206
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18.5 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2018 Toyota Tacoma problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System65 (32%)
- Brakes48 (23%)
- Engine40 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain29 (14%)
- Other26 (13%)
- Structure & Body17 (8%)
- Electrical System16 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras11 (5%)
- Steering6 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly fail to stop the truck in time, with pedal sinking to the floor and causing low-speed collisions or parking-lot crashes.
- Owners describe sudden brake malfunction while backing up or turning, resulting in impact with walls or parked vehicles.
- Side airbags reportedly failed to deploy in T-bone and rear-end collisions, leaving occupants without protection.
- Transmission and powertrain complaints describe a shuddering or vibration between 35 and 50 mph that dealers could not always replicate.
- Some owners report the gear shifter knob becoming loose shortly after purchase.
- Side mirrors have been reported to fold inward on their own at highway speeds around 70 mph.
2018 Toyota Tacoma recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V682000Nov 4, 2020Fuel System1,525,742 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
- NHTSA 20V012000Jan 13, 2020Fuel System1,830,752 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
- NHTSA 18V888000Dec 13, 2018Brakes44,121 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tacoma vehicles. Improper machining of the brake master cylinder may result in internal damage of one of the seals, affecting brake performance.
Risk: Reduced brake performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began January 28, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J16/J06.
2018 Toyota Tacoma fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 Tacoma a complaint index of 25, ranking 16th out of 21 model years, which earns it a Good verdict relative to other Tacoma years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota Tacoma?
- The top problem area is the fuel system, making up 32% of complaints, followed by brakes at 23% and engine issues at 19%.
- Does the 2018 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Tacoma, covering the fuel pump assembly and a brake master cylinder with improper machining, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2018 Tacoma problems usually appear?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: brakes issues showed up around 12,000 miles, engine problems around 11,528 miles, and transmission issues as early as 5,825 miles.
- How does the 2018 Tacoma compare to other Tacoma years?
- Its complaint index of 25 is much lower than Avoid years like 2024 (complaint index 100) or 2009 (complaint index 95), placing it among the better Tacoma model years.